Seeking a car made for Canada? Skip the 20-inch wheels

Winter tires.

MAST, Fotolia.com

There may not be many cars made in Canada anymore, but buyers can still shop wisely for a ride fit for our climate

by
Brian Turner | February 3, 2016

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Which was the “most” Canadian: the ’32 Frontenac 6-70 made in Leaside, the ’61 Mercury Meteor Montcalm from Oakville, the ’66 Studebaker Commander Series built in Hamilton, or the ’64 Volvo produced in Nova Scotia? At one time, carmakers found it profitable to design, manufacture and market products specifically for us Canucks, but sadly no more. With few exceptions, now we are left to choose from products imagined in California, designed in Europe and made of parts sourced from around the globe, to be assembled in one of the cheaper offshore labour markets.

But our unique geography and climate still pose challenges that few automakers ever really live up to (at least, to the extent expected by consumers). So when you’re on the hunt for your next set of wheels, you won’t find any vehicle specifically made for us, but you can use your shopping savvy to make sure you get a ride that can endure all four seasons.

Porsche Camp4 Winter Driving Experience

Some bodies only look good at the beach. Low aerodynamic bumper covers and plastic side skirts might have some limited beneficial effect on fuel mileage, but those savings quickly evaporate the first time you kiss a frozen snow bank or parking lot curb stone. Rather than kicking tires, you might consider checking the thickness and impact resistance of common collision body panels. If you can easily flex the lower part of a bumper cover with your hand, consider how it will stand up in the real world of your daily commute. And if you have a particularly steep driveway approach at home, maybe a vehicle with less than two inches of front ground clearance shouldn’t be on your short list. If you think potential damage like this is what insurance is for, think again. An ever-increasing number of drivers pay for minor scrapes and car bruises out of pocket to avoid escalating their premiums, and smacking a bumper cover can easily bring $1,000 (or bigger) hit to your wallet.

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Cushion the blow. Tougher fuel economy standards being mandated by various governments mean thinner and lighter body parts such as doors and fenders. Parking-lot dings caused by someone opening their door onto yours are a major aggravation but are easily avoided; soft rubber-type body-side moldings used to be very common, and are still available in various colours and thicknesses from most auto-parts or accessory stores. When properly applied, these strips effectively prevent smaller dents and scratches but won’t detract from the overall look of your vehicle.

Before car shopping, check your calendar. Ever wonder why automakers and their retailers advertise winter tire packages only in the snowy months? If they’re able to squeeze a set of steel rims and snow tires into the deal in December, they can do the same any other month of the year. When you go new ride hunting in May, remember winter is only a few months away; avoid the December rush and unwanted hit to your Christmas budget by getting winter tires included with your deal.

2015 BMW X5

When it comes to tires, bigger isn’t necessarily better – but it is more expensive. Auto manufacturers love big wheels; they can make a mild ride look tough and fast, but those 20-inch shoes can come with a big price tag. Take a moment between the kicks to the tire and check the size. If it’s 18 inches or larger or has a very short sidewall (also known as low profile), you may want to check some replacement prices; these days, there are a lot of sub-$20,000-priced vehicles riding on $1,200 worth of rubber. Also take a minute to check those shiny alloy rims. If they’re particularly wide, they tend to have rather thin metal and all it takes is one good pothole to ruin a $700 wheel.

There are many hazards related to winter driving – it just makes sense to be prepared for any of them

You’ve got to see and be seen, right? Since most of us commute during the apparently endless darkness of our late autumn, winter and early spring, you’d think car shoppers would take a test drive at night to check out the effectiveness of some headlamps. But the number of calls made to accessory stores by desperate drivers looking for brighter lights say otherwise. LED trimmed tear-drop shaped headlamps might look cool, but they can leave a lot to be desired in terms of function. And knowing that the majority of our landscape is (usually) covered in snow for a considerable length of time each year, why is white still one of the top three colour choices? The other two popular colours, black and silver, also make no sense for urban commuting in dark grey concrete jungles. Live a little and forget the myth that one of those bland palette choices won’t show the dirt as much; pick a bright colour and be seen.

It doesn’t have to be a hybrid to be a plug-in. If all your past and current rides reside comfortably in an attached or heated garage, you can skip this one. For everyone else, a block heater can be a day-saver. If your selections don’t include one, negotiate a dealer-installed unit with your purchase.